Folding chair



Aug. 15,1944. c. BENJAMIN FOLDING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25 1942 M NVENTOR v BY . i i a ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 15

, 4 c. FYBENJAMiN 2,355,517

FOLDING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTdR Filed Feb. 25, 1942 Patented Aug. 15, 1944 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING CHAIR Clarence F. BenjamimDcVon, Conn. Application February 25, 1942, Serial No. 432,221

3 Claims.

- This invention'relates to folding chairs, and has for an object to provide an improved and simplified construction which can be instantly opened or folded, and when foldedthe members lieside by side so that in this condition it requires a minimum of space. r 1

7 It is also an object to provide a. construction having a flexible back and seat in which the chair can be adjusted to various positions and inclinations of the back, and in which the adjustments also adjust thelength of the seat and back, so that all elements of the chair are adjusted for different positions and the seat and the back are elongated for the reclining position and shortene for the upright position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details and arrangement shown but may employ variouschanges and modifications within invention.

" In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the chair in the upright position for use;

' Fig. 2 is a similar view of the chair in its ex-- treme reclining position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the chair in folded position;

Fig. 4 is a detail section of one form of locking means;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a sunshade which may be used;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the chair in folded condition;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the chair in the condition of Fig. 1 but taken on a plane corresponding to the line 8-8 of Fig. 7

Fig, 9 is a side elevation of the front portion of the chair'showing a modified arrangement of adjusting means; i

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the adjusting means with the legand brace removed;

Fig. 11 is a section substantially on the line I l--l l of Fig. 10;

' Fig- 12 is a similar view to Fig. 9 showing another modification;

' Fig. 13 is an elevation of the adjusting means with the leg removed;

Fig. 14 is a section substantially on the line |4-l4 of Fig, 13;

Fig. 15 is a side view showing still another modification, and v the scope of the Fig. 16 is a section substantially on the line lG-lBof Fig. 15. r

The improved chair construction comprises laterally spaced side frames connected by transverse bars. Each side frame comprises a back mem ber l and front and rear leg members 2 and 3 and a link member 4. In a set-up condition for use the leg members 2 and 3 are inclined downwardly in opposite directions. They are pivotally connected at their upper ends at-5. Intermediate its length the rear leg member 3 is pivoted to the back member at B and the link 4 is pivotally con-. nected to the lower end of the back member at 7 and to the intermediate portion of the front leg member 2 at 8. The connections 1 and 8 may be cross rungs or bars connecting the side frames. To give increased strength and stiffness, similar bars 9 may connect the lower ends of the front and rear leg members and a similar bar In connects the upper ends of the back members. It is preferred that the pivotal connections 6 and 8 be substantially at the middle of the leg members 3 and 2 so that the lengths of the leg members on opposite sides of these pivots are substantially equal. It is also preferred that the length of the back members between the pivots 6 and l and the length of the link 4 be substantially the same and equalto. one-half the lengths of the le members, or. that is, that the distances between the pivots 5 and 6, 5 and18, 6 and I, and 1 and 8 be substantially equal, although it is not necessary that these dimensions be used. If these dimensions are employed the lower ends of the back members I and the link 4 can be arranged to rest on the ground or. fioor II with the lower ends of the leg members in all positions to provide additional support forthe chair, which is particularlyadesirable when the chair is. in the reclining position as indicatedin Fig. 2, as due to the assumed angles of the various members this is the position, of greatest strain on the leg and back members. It will be seen the upper portions of the leg members 2 and 3, the lower portion of member I and the link 4 form a diamond construction which is adjustable within large limits, so the chair can be adjusted with the lower ends of the leg members close together with the back chair to be folded with the members I and 2 lying side by side as shown in Fig. 3, permitting the chair to be folded to a position requiring the minimum of space.

The seat and back member is formed by a single flexible member 12 which may be of some fabric such for example as canvas, connected at its upper end to the bar It and at its other end to a roller l3 extending between and supported by the front leg members 2 and .so mounted as. to be rotatable towind or unwind this member thereon. This roller may form the transverse rung or bar connecting the front leg membersw Beneath this member I2 is a flexible seat supbeing beneath the seat portion of the member l2 forms an additional support for thismember to retain it in the proper position. It also acts. as a limiting and adjusting means for the chair. That, is, as the roller I3. is rotated to windthe members [2 and I4 thereon the front and rear le members 2 and 3 are drawn. together or toward: each other to adjust the position of the chair,. making it more upright, and reducing the length of the seat portion. By permitting. rotation. of. the roller in the opposite direction and unwinding. these flexible members, the lower ends of the leg members are permitted to spread. farther and farther apart to permit the chair to move to. the reclining position, the limit of this movement being shown in Fig. 2. This of course may be. determined by the length. of the member l4, but it. is preferred to also provide. limit stops t6 onthe inner sides of the front leg. members 2' to engage. the tops of. the links 4 in this position, to not. only limit the movement but also provide. addi tional support in this extreme position. The upper portions 2a and 3a of the leg-members .form. arm rests, and it will be seen that as. the chair is adjusted between the upright and reclining positions these rests arev also automatically adjusted for different heights, being lower in. the re-' clining position.

Means is provided to retain or look. the roller. !13 in different adjusted positions to maintain the. chair in the different adjusted positions. ferent forms of. looking. or retaining meansmay. be used but that shown in Figs. 1 to 7 comprises. a ratchet H secured to the roller: and having. any desired number of notches, cooperating. with a pivoted pawl 18, the pivot of. the pawl being shown. at [9. A spring 20 engages the pawl and is. arranged to hold the pawl in either the holding orreleased position. The springsextends; around'two. supporting screws 2| and has its free. end: 22. en-v gaging an extension 23 on. the. pawl. so that the: pressure of the spring tends to hold the. lug. 2.4 of the pawl in the notches in. the ratchet. When the pawl is swung to. the dotted position in Fig.5,

the free end of. the spring engagesthe top. wall.

of the pawl and retains it in thisreleasedi position. It can be swung downto the holdingposition by merely swinging its free end downwardly. The other free end of the spring. 25; is extended under the portion 22 as: shown and provides an. additional support and additional pressure ofithe spring on the pawl. For adjusting the roller the ratchet I! may have an extension or hub 26 forming a hand, grip for rotating"; the roller. It will be evident that with this arrangement. fine.

adjustments may be made depending'on: how 7 Difmuch the members l2 and M are wound onto the roller, the different notches on the ratchet permitting small adjustments so that adjustments may be readily made to suit the user and place the chair in the condition most comfortable for him. To adjust the chair from the upright position of Fig. 1 to the reclining position of Fig. 2, all that is necessary is to release the roller and the weight of the user or pressure on the chair will move it to this position or the. roller may be. rotated by hand. If it is desiredzto fold the chair for carrying or storage this operation may i be readily performed by pulling forwardly 0n the upper part of the back and pressing rearwardly J on. the front of the roller, bringing the chair to the position of Fig. 3. It can be as readily opened up to the usable position. When the chair is folded the roller l3 may be rotated to wind the member l4 thereon and bring it taut as shown in Fig. '3. In this position member I4 holds or looks thechair in the collapsed or folded, condition whichgreatly facilitateshandlingn To again; set: up. the chair for use the. roller must be released by releasing the pawl and ratchet to permit unwinding of the-member M.

This construction permits the useof an improved sunshade 21. This may comprise two side memberslii eachmade up of two rigid members: 29 of wood. or similar material connected by' screwsor rivets 3B and aclamping bolt 3|. Theyare notched at the rear end to grip the bar I ll. but. the width of the opening between the jaws. 3.2 is preferably less thanthe diameter of the bar I'llv and the width of the notchto the rear of the entrance of the notch soas to more firmlygrip the rod l0 and not slide. off it unless the jaws are separated sufiiciently to permit therod-5 Hi to pass between the members: 32.v Extending,

between the side members, 28 is. a shade member.

a 33, preferably a flexible member such as canvas and it can be mounted by fastening betweenthe.- two. members 29 as by tacks or other means. This leaves the two side members 28 free; to be; adjusted independently about the member lU-so that if desired the shade can. be inclined to different angles as indicated in dotted. lines Fig. 7,.

should the sun be coming from the side or for any other reason. The members 28- can be. clamped in any desired position on themember Ill by merely clamping the thumb screws.

. Figs. 9 to 16 show different modified arrangements for holding the adjusting roller 13 in different positions to adjust the length of. the members It. and Hi.- In thearran-gement of Figs.

; 9 to 11 the extension 35 of the roller is flattenedas shown at 36 and the ends: of the links 4 are extended somewhat as shown at 3'! and-a1eprovided; with a keyholeshaped opening the round portion 33.- of which; is of a size to. permit tum ing of the member 36- therein; while leading,

. wardly or rearwardly from the circular portion 38 weight of the user on the. seat. of the chair tends to hold. the flat portion in the: notch. so that there is no danger of the roller being acci;-. dentally released in use to permit collapse of. the chair. With this construction the members can shaped opening in an extension of the link 4 it is formed in the leg member 2 the round portion of this opening permitting rotation of the flat 3'5 as shown at r and the notch leading therefrom as shown at 45 extending downwardly and backwardly from the circular portion so that weight on the chair seat will automatically retain the; flat portion 35 in the notch. In this arrangement. the extension 35 of the roller can turn in the link 4 and therefore this extension forms the pivotal connection between the link and the leg member 2.

In Figs. and 16 a ratchet 42 is secured to the extension 43 of the roller with a hand grip 44 for turning it. A flat pawl 45 is pivoted in a 1 slot 46 in the leg member 2 with its free end extending laterally to seat in the notches in the ratchet 42. A flat spring 41 may engage either of the flat edges 48 or 49 of the pawl arranged at an angle to each other to either tend to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet as shown in full lines, or retain it released as shown in dotted lines, as in the case of Figs. 1 to '7. It is preferred to use one of these pawls and ratchets on each end of the roller. It is also preferred to use the holding means of Figs. 9 to 14 at each end of the roller.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that this chair may be opened or folded instantly, and that it may be used in any one of many positions from the upright to the reclining positions because of the flne adjustments securable with the roller and locking means shown. This roller adjusts the seat, back and arm rests all together and all at the same time, and small partial turns of the roller permit of fine adjustments and shapes the seat, back and arm rests to conform to the user and bring them to the most comfortable position. The lower ends of the back members act as braces to the rear legs and the links 4 act as braces to the front legs, giving greater support and strength to the chair and giving greater or extra support where they are of such length as to rest on the floor or ground. The roller takes up all the stretching and sagging of the fabric of the seat and back members an the seat support, thus overcoming the sagging of fabric and the resulting change and uncomfortableness so common in folding chairs. However, when the chair is in the folded position the roller may be rotated to draw the seat support I4 taut, thus holding and locking the chair in the folded position, making it much easier to handle or carry and facilitating transportation and storage.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A folding chair comprising laterally spaced side frames connected by transverse bars, said side frames including front and rear leg members pivoted together at their upper ends, a back member pivoted intermediate its length to the intermediate portion of the rear leg member, a

link pivoted to the lower end of the back member and the intermediate portion of the front leg member, a rotatable roller mounted in and extending transversely between the front leg members, a flexible back and seat connected to the upper part of the back members and said roller, a rear cross bar mounted in and extending between the rear leg members, a flexible seat support under said seat connected to the roller and said rear cross bar and serving to limit the amount of separation of the front and rear leg members, said roller being rotatable to wind and unwind said back and seat member and the seat support thereon to vary the limit of separation of the front and rear leg members, and means for holding the roller against turning.

2. A folding chair comprising laterally spaced side frames connected by transverse bars, said side frames including front and rear leg members pivoted together at their upper ends, a back member pivoted intermediate its length to approximately the middle of the rear leg member, a link pivoted to the lower end of the back member and approximately the middle of the front leg member, the lengths of said link and the lower portion of the back member below its pivot to the rear leg member being approximately the same as the lower halves of the leg members, a rotatable roller extending transversely between the front leg members, a transverse bar between the upper parts of the back members, a flexible back and seat connected to said bar and roller, a transverse bar between the rear leg members below said flexible back and seat, and a flexible seat support connected to said latter bar and said roller under the flexible back and seat and serving to limit the amount of separation of the front and rear leg members, said roller adapted to wind said flexible members thereon to adjust their lengths to vary the limit of separation of the front and rear leg members and means for holding the roller against turning.

3. A folding chair comprising laterally spaced side frames connected by transverse bars, each side frame comprising oppositely and downwardly inclined leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends, a back member pivoted at a point above its lower end to an intermediate portion of the rear leg member and a link pivotally connected to the lower end of the back member and an intermediate portion of the front leg member, a rotatable roller extending transversely between the front leg members, a transverse bar between the upper parts of the back members, a flexible back and seat connected to said bar and roller, a transverse bar between the rear leg members below said flexible back and seat, a flexible seat support connected to said latter bar and said roller under the flexible back and seat, said roller adapted to wind said flexible members thereon to adjust their lengths, the ends of the roller being flattened, a member of each frame having a keyhole shaped opening in which a flattened end of the roller extends, the wider portion of which opening is of suflicient diameter to permit turning of said flattened portion therein to adjust the length of the flexible members and the narrower portion of the opening being a notch extending rearwardly from the wider portion to receive said flattened end and hold it against turning.

CLARENCE F. BENJAMIN. 

